FlySafair adopts Apple Pay and Google Pay through Stitch integration

The South African low-cost carrier partnered with the payment infrastructure provider to deploy tokenized digital wallets, aiming to reduce transaction times and lower interchange fees on mobile bookings.

FlySafair integrates Apple Pay and Google Pay through Stitch to address cart abandonment. 

South African low-cost airline FlySafair has partnered with payment infrastructure provider Stitch to integrate Apple Pay and Google Pay into its mobile application. Founded in 2014, FlySafair operates within the local aviation market and relies on its mobile app as a primary channel for passengers to search, book, and manage flights. The implementation of these digital wallets allows users to complete transactions using payment methods already stored on their devices, addressing specific bottlenecks in the mobile checkout process.

The integration targets cart abandonment, a documented operational challenge in the travel sector. Flight bookings typically require users to input extensive personal information before checkout, including identification numbers, contact details, and specific dietary or travel requirements. When combined with the high transaction values typical of airline tickets, this friction during the payment phase often leads to incomplete purchases. By deploying Apple Pay and Google Pay, the airline bypasses manual credit card data entry and traditional secondary authentication flows.

From a technical standpoint, the digital wallets process payments using tokenized card credentials and device-level authentication, such as biometric recognition or PINs. This structure enables faster data input for the user while maintaining strict security protocols. For the merchant, processing authenticated wallet transactions through Stitch results in lower interchange fees, a reduction in chargebacks, and fewer payment disputes compared to standard card processing.

The decision to adopt this infrastructure aligns with shifting payment habits detailed in Stitch’s 2025 Consumer Payments Report, which indicates that digital wallet adoption for daily transactions has surpassed 70% among consumers. According to the data, Apple Pay yields conversion rates up to 42% higher than traditional card payments. Transaction speed is a primary driver for this metric, with half of Apple Pay purchases completing in under three seconds and 95% finishing in under 5.2 seconds. By utilizing these payment methods, FlySafair aims to shorten the final checkout phase and process a higher volume of completed mobile bookings.